From your first eligibility check through to your residence card, our team of bar-registered solicitors, legal specialists, and immigration specialists handles every step of your Spanish visa application. Fixed fees, no hidden costs, and a strong approval record across years of casework.
Spain consistently ranks among the most popular destinations in the world for expatriates, and it is not difficult to understand why. Year-round sunshine across the Mediterranean coast, a cost of living that remains competitive against northern Europe, an excellent public healthcare system, and a culture that prioritises quality of life over work-at-all-costs intensity. Every year, tens of thousands of non-EU citizens from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and beyond make the decision to relocate, retire, study, or work remotely from Spanish soil. However, before any of that can happen, you need to secure the right visa, and the process is more involved than many people expect.
Spain's immigration framework is governed by the Ley Orgánica de Extranjería and a complex web of supporting regulations, royal decrees, and consular guidelines that differ from one consulate to another and even from one Extranjería office to the next. The result is a system where the same visa application can be handled differently in Madrid, Málaga, and Manchester. Documents that one consulate accepts without question may be returned by another with requests for additional apostilles, notarisations, or certified translations. Timelines range from a few weeks in some fast-track categories to several months when consulates are backlogged. For applicants unfamiliar with Spanish bureaucracy, the experience can feel opaque, unpredictable, and genuinely stressful.
This is precisely where Platinum Legal Spain adds value. We do not simply fill in forms and hope for the best. Our team of bar-registered solicitors, legal specialists, and immigration specialists has processed a large volume of successful visa applications with a strong approval record. We know how each consulate and Extranjería office operates, what evidence they want to see, how they prefer documents to be ordered, and where the most common pitfalls lie. Every client receives a dedicated case manager who guides them through document collection, financial proof preparation, health insurance selection, and consulate or Extranjería submission. Your entire experience is in English, managed through our secure online portal at dashboard.platinumlegalspain.com, with live chat, document uploads, status tracking, and payment management available around the clock.
Whether you are retiring on pension income, relocating as a remote worker, enrolling in a Spanish university, joining a family member who already holds residence, or simply renewing an existing visa, this page provides a complete overview of every visa pathway we support. You will find transparent pricing, eligibility criteria, processing timelines, and direct links to detailed pillar pages for each visa type. If you are unsure which visa suits your situation, our free eligibility quiz takes less than five minutes and provides a personalised recommendation with no obligation.
Transparent, fixed-fee pricing with 3-payment splits available. Family discounts apply to multiple applicants.
Every visa service listed below includes a dedicated case manager, all government forms and templates, official sworn translations up to a value of €200 per person, coordination with the relevant consulate or Extranjería office, a free appeal if your application is rejected, and full access to our secure online portal. Three-payment splits are available on every service at no extra cost, making it straightforward to spread your investment across the application timeline.
New application. Renewals from €699.
Learn More →New application. 3-payment split: €500 / €500 / €899.
Learn More →New application only. Single-payment.
Learn More →Dedicated case manager, all forms & templates, official sworn translations (up to €200 pp), Extranjería/consulate coordination, free appeal if rejected, and 24/7 secure online portal access. 3-payment splits available on all services at no extra cost. Health insurance is arranged separately through our partner, Sanitas (part of Bupa), via spanish-healthinsurance.com.
A detailed breakdown of each visa category, who it suits, what is required, and how Platinum Legal Spain supports each pathway.
The Non-Lucrative Visa is the most popular route for retirees, early retirees, and financially independent individuals who want to live in Spain without undertaking any form of employment or professional activity. It is sometimes referred to as the "retirement visa," although there is no minimum age requirement. You can apply at 30 or at 70, provided you meet the financial threshold and can demonstrate that you will not need to work while in Spain.
The key financial requirement is proving sufficient income or savings to support yourself and any dependants without recourse to the Spanish labour market. The current guideline from Spanish consulates is approximately €2,520 per month for the main applicant, with an additional percentage required for each family member. This income can come from pensions, rental income, dividends, investment returns, or savings. The source must be passive — you cannot count active freelance earnings or employment salary. Consulates typically want to see 12 months of bank statements, pension confirmations, or investment account summaries that demonstrate a stable and reliable income stream.
Beyond finances, you will need comprehensive private health insurance with full coverage in Spain (no co-pays, no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and repatriation cover). Our insurance partner Sanitas, part of Bupa, offers policies specifically designed for visa applicants through spanish-healthinsurance.com. You will also need a clean criminal record certificate from every country where you have lived for more than six months in the last five years, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
The NLV is initially granted for one year, after which you apply for a two-year renewal from within Spain. After five years of continuous legal residence, you become eligible for permanent residence. Our full NLV guide covers eligibility, document checklists, timelines, and consulate-specific advice in detail. Read the full Non-Lucrative Visa guide →
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, formally known as the visado para teletrabajo de carácter internacional, was introduced under Ley 28/2022 (the Startups Act) and has quickly become one of the most attractive remote-work visa options in Europe. It is designed for professionals who work remotely for employers or clients based outside Spain, whether as employees of a foreign company or as self-employed freelancers and contractors. Unlike the NLV, the DNV explicitly permits you to work, provided your work is performed remotely for non-Spanish entities.
Income requirements for the DNV are higher than the NLV, reflecting the fact that applicants are active earners. You will need to demonstrate that you earn a sufficient income from your remote work, and the threshold is assessed based on the Spanish minimum wage multiplied by a set factor. Your employer or clients must be based outside Spain, and you must be able to show that no more than 20% of your professional income comes from Spanish entities. If you are employed, your employer will typically need to provide a letter confirming your remote-work arrangement and the company's relationship with Spain.
One of the most significant advantages of the DNV is eligibility for Spain's Beckham Law (régimen especial de trabajadores desplazados), which allows qualifying applicants to be taxed as non-residents for up to six years. This means you pay a flat rate of 24% on Spanish-sourced income up to a threshold, rather than the standard progressive income tax rates that can reach 47% or higher. Not every DNV holder qualifies for the Beckham Law, and the rules are nuanced, so we always recommend seeking separate tax advice before making assumptions. We do not provide Beckham Law filing as part of our visa service, but our Beckham Law guide for digital nomads explains the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
The DNV can be applied for from outside Spain at a Spanish consulate or, under certain conditions, from within Spain through the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) fast-track process, which has a statutory processing time of 20 working days. Our team handles both routes and can advise on which is faster and more appropriate for your circumstances. Read the full Digital Nomad Visa guide →
The Spanish student visa (visado de estudios) allows non-EU citizens to reside in Spain for the purpose of undertaking full-time study at an accredited educational institution. This covers university degree programmes, postgraduate courses, language schools registered with the Instituto Cervantes, vocational training, and certain research placements. The course must be full-time and the institution must be officially recognised by the Spanish education authorities.
Student visa holders are permitted to work part-time up to 20 hours per week during term time, provided the employment does not interfere with their studies. Some students use this provision to supplement their income through part-time teaching, hospitality, or freelance work. However, the student visa does not provide a direct route to a general work permit. After completing your studies, you may be eligible to switch to a different residence category, and time spent on a student visa counts partially toward the five-year permanent residence requirement.
Financial proof for a student visa is lower than for the NLV or DNV, but you must still demonstrate that you can support yourself during your period of study without relying on public funds. You will also need health insurance, a clean criminal record certificate, and an acceptance letter from your educational institution. Read the full Student Visa guide →
Most Spanish visa types are initially granted for one year, after which you must apply for a renewal from within Spain. The renewal process is handled by your local Extranjería office (the immigration department) rather than a consulate, and the requirements differ in some important ways from the initial application. For NLV renewals, you must demonstrate that you have been living in Spain (not just holding the visa), that your financial situation remains stable, and that you continue to hold valid health insurance. For DNV renewals, you must also show that you have been declaring and paying taxes in Spain.
Renewal applications should be submitted between 60 days before and 90 days after the expiry date of your current residence authorisation. Missing this window can result in your application being treated as a new application rather than a renewal, which carries stricter requirements and higher fees. Our renewal service includes a full review of your documents, updated financial proof preparation, Extranjería submission, and tracking through to approval. Read the full renewal guide →
If you already hold legal residence in Spain, you may be eligible to bring your spouse, registered partner, dependent children under 18, and in some cases dependent parents to join you through the family reunification (reagrupación familiar) process. Family reunification is available to holders of most residence permit types, although specific requirements vary. You will typically need to demonstrate that you have adequate housing, sufficient financial resources to support your family members, and that you have held your own residence for at least one year (though this requirement can sometimes be waived for initial visa applications that include family members).
Family members who join you through reunification receive their own residence authorisation tied to yours, and they may be eligible to work in Spain depending on the type of permit. Children who arrive under family reunification can access Spanish public education, and family members are covered by the public healthcare system once registered. Our team handles family reunification applications as an extension of your own visa case, with discounted per-person fees for families applying together. Read the full family reunification guide →
Choosing the right visa depends on your personal circumstances, income sources, work situation, and long-term plans. If you are retired or living on passive income and do not intend to work, the Non-Lucrative Visa is almost certainly your best option. If you work remotely for a company or clients based outside Spain, the Digital Nomad Visa offers the ability to continue working legally while potentially benefiting from favourable tax treatment under the Beckham Law. If you are enrolling in a Spanish educational programme, the Student Visa provides a straightforward path to residence during your studies. And if your spouse or partner already holds residence in Spain, family reunification may be the most direct route.
Some situations fall between categories. For example, a semi-retired individual with both pension income and occasional freelance consulting may need to choose between the NLV (if they can cease the consulting) and the DNV (if they want to continue it). A couple where one partner works remotely and the other does not may apply for a DNV for the working partner and add the non-working partner as a family member. Our free eligibility quiz at dashboard.platinumlegalspain.com is designed to navigate exactly these kinds of situations, and our visa specialists are available for a free consultation if you want to discuss your options in detail. Compare NLV vs DNV side by side →
Requirements and consulate procedures differ by nationality. Select your country for tailored guidance.
Post-Brexit, British nationals require a visa for stays over 90 days. NLV and DNV are the most common routes. Applications are handled by the Spanish consulates in London, Edinburgh, and Manchester.
Key consideration: UK pensions and savings qualify as NLV income. S1 healthcare may supplement but does not replace private insurance for visa purposes.
US citizens can apply at Spanish consulates across the United States. 401(k) distributions, Social Security, and investment income all count toward NLV financial proof. DNV is popular with US-based remote workers.
Key consideration: US citizens remain subject to US tax filing obligations worldwide. The Beckham Law does not eliminate US tax liability.
Canadians apply through the Spanish consulate in Ottawa or the relevant honorary consulate. RRSP withdrawals, CPP, and OAS payments all qualify as passive income for NLV purposes.
Key consideration: The Spain-Canada tax treaty affects how pension income is taxed. Seek dual-jurisdiction tax advice before relocating.
As EU citizens, Irish nationals have the right to live and work in Spain without a visa. However, stays beyond 90 days require registration on the Registro Central de Extranjeros and an NIE number.
Key consideration: No visa needed, but EU registration, NIE, and healthcare enrolment must still be completed correctly.
Australians apply at the Spanish Embassy in Canberra or the consulate in Sydney. Superannuation income may count toward NLV financial proof depending on access and drawdown structure.
Key consideration: Time zone differences make the DNV particularly attractive. Australia does not have a tax treaty with Spain, so dual-tax advice is essential.
EU/EEA nationals do not need a visa to live or work in Spain. After 90 days, you must register as a resident, obtain your NIE, and register with the social security system if employed.
Key consideration: EU registration is simpler than a visa application but still involves bureaucratic steps that benefit from professional guidance.
From initial consultation to residence card collection, here is how we manage your application from start to finish.
Take our free eligibility quiz or book a consultation with a visa specialist. We evaluate your situation, recommend the right visa, and provide a clear timeline and cost breakdown before you commit to anything.
Your dedicated case manager provides a personalised document checklist and guides you through every item. We review each document, arrange sworn translations (included up to €200 pp), and ensure everything meets consulate standards.
We compile your application pack, coordinate with the consulate or Extranjería office, and submit on your behalf. Track progress in real time through your secure online portal with live chat support available 24/7.
Once approved, we guide you through visa collection, travel to Spain, NIE registration, and TIE (residence card) application. We ensure you are fully set up for life in Spain from day one.
Understanding why applications get rejected is the first step toward ensuring yours does not.
The single most common reason for visa delays and rejections is submitting documents that are incomplete, incorrectly formatted, or missing required certifications. Spanish consulates are precise about what they want: documents must be recent (typically issued within the last three months), apostilled with the correct Hague Apostille, and translated into Spanish by an official sworn translator (traductor jurado). A bank statement that is six months old, a criminal record certificate without an apostille, or a translation produced by a non-certified translator will result in your application being returned or rejected outright. Our team reviews every document before submission to ensure it meets the exact requirements of the specific consulate or Extranjería office handling your case.
Applicants frequently underestimate how carefully consulates scrutinise financial evidence. It is not enough to simply have the required income or savings; you must present evidence in a way that the consulate finds convincing. This means showing consistent income over at least 12 months, providing clear source documentation (pension statements, employment contracts, dividend confirmations), and ensuring that bank statements show a stable balance rather than a large lump sum deposited just before the application. For the NLV, the guideline income threshold is approximately €2,520 per month for a single applicant, with additional amounts for dependants. Consulates have discretion to request more evidence or apply higher thresholds depending on your circumstances and the cost of living in your chosen Spanish region.
Spanish visa regulations require private health insurance with comprehensive coverage, no co-payments, no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and full coverage within Spain. Many applicants make the mistake of purchasing travel insurance, international health insurance with limited Spanish coverage, or policies that exclude pre-existing conditions. Consulates will reject applications where the insurance policy does not meet these specific criteria. We work with our insurance partner Sanitas (part of Bupa) through spanish-healthinsurance.com to ensure every client has a policy that fully meets visa requirements.
You need a criminal record certificate (certificado de antecedentes penales) from every country where you have lived for more than six months in the past five years. These certificates must be apostilled and translated, and they must be recent, typically no more than three months old at the time of submission. The problem is that obtaining a criminal record certificate can itself take several weeks or even months in some countries. If you have lived in multiple countries, the logistics become even more complex. We advise clients to request their criminal record certificates early in the process and can guide you through the specific procedures for your country of nationality and any countries where you have previously resided.
Timing matters. Some consulates require appointments that must be booked weeks or months in advance. Others have seasonal backlogs that can add months to processing times. Applying for a renewal too late (after the 90-day grace period) can result in your application being treated as a new application with stricter requirements. Choosing between an in-country application through the UGE and an out-of-country application through a consulate affects both the timeline and the supporting documents required. Our team advises on the optimal submission channel and timing for every application, taking into account current consulate workloads and processing speeds.
More than a visa agency. A regulated legal practice with deep immigration expertise and a track record to prove it.
Our team of bar-registered solicitors, legal specialists, and immigration specialists brings both formal legal qualification and deep hands-on experience with Spanish immigration processes. Immigration specialists on our team often have more visa-specific experience than generalist solicitors, and this combination of legal rigour and practical expertise is what drives our results.
Our approval rate is not a marketing claim — it reflects thousands of successful visa applications across every visa category and dozens of consulates worldwide. We achieve this by preparing every application to the standard we know each specific consulate expects, not just the minimum legal requirement.
You know exactly what you will pay before you start. No hourly billing, no unexpected charges, no fee escalation. Our fixed-fee model means the price you agree at the outset is the price you pay, and three-payment splits are available at no additional cost on every service.
Your entire application is managed through our secure dashboard at dashboard.platinumlegalspain.com. Upload documents, track your application status, manage payments, communicate with your case manager via live chat, and access all your files from anywhere in the world, at any time.
Your entire experience, from the initial consultation through to your approval notification, is conducted in English. No language barriers, no translation confusion, no cultural miscommunication. You always understand exactly where your application stands and what is needed next.
Years of working with Spanish consulates across the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and Europe, alongside local Extranjería offices across mainland Spain and the islands. We understand their preferences, their quirks, their bottlenecks, and their timelines, and we use that knowledge to position every application for the fastest possible approval.
Detailed pillar pages covering every aspect of each visa type, from eligibility and documents to costs and timelines.
The complete guide to Spain's most popular retirement and passive-income visa. Eligibility criteria, financial thresholds, document checklists, processing timelines, and consulate-specific advice.
Read NLV Guide →Everything remote workers and freelancers need to know about Spain's Digital Nomad Visa. Employed vs self-employed routes, income requirements, UGE fast-track, and Beckham Law eligibility.
Read DNV Guide →How to obtain a Spanish student visa for university, language school, or vocational training. Accredited institutions, part-time work rules, financial proof, and the path from study to residence.
Read Student Guide →Bringing your spouse, children, or dependent parents to Spain. Eligibility requirements, housing and income thresholds, documentation, and how family permits relate to your own residence status.
Family Guide →How DNV holders may qualify for Spain's special tax regime, paying a flat 24% tax rate instead of progressive rates up to 47%. Eligibility criteria, application process, and important limitations.
Beckham Law Guide →Not sure whether you need a Non-Lucrative Visa or a Digital Nomad Visa? This side-by-side comparison breaks down income requirements, work permissions, tax implications, and renewal differences.
Compare Visas →Start with our free eligibility quiz — answer a few questions about your situation, income, and plans, and we will recommend the best visa option with a clear timeline and cost estimate. Or book a free consultation with one of our visa specialists to discuss your circumstances in detail.
This page provides an overview of Platinum Legal Spain's visa services. Detailed requirements, financial thresholds, processing timelines, and approval rates for each visa type are available on the individual service pages linked above. All information is current as of May 2026 but subject to change as Spanish immigration law evolves. Individual circumstances vary; consulate and Extranjería discretion apply. No guarantee of visa approval is implied.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Every situation is different — please contact one of our specialists for advice tailored to your circumstances.
Get tailored legal advice from our English-speaking team in Spain. We respond within 24 business hours.